How to Fix Rafters to a House Frame

Rafters are used in house roof framing less frequently today, largely replaced by prefabricated trusses which incorporate rafters, joists and internal braces into a single component. Rafters must be attached individually once joists are laid between house walls. Internal and lateral bracing running the length of the roof must be added as rafters are attached to the house wall framing, a more time-consuming process which also requires more skilled carpenters. It will require at least three and preferably more workers, some of them on the roof with boards laid across joists as temporary flooring for them to stand on.

Rafters and ridge board
Tape measure
Pencil
Speed square
2-by-4-inch bracing boards and stakes
16d framing nails
Hammer
Circular saw
2-by-4-inch internal braces
Hurricane ties
8d galvanized nails

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the spacing for roof rafters on the cap boards on each wall and a ridge board the length of the house. Measure 1-1/2 inches in from the wall end and the end of the ridge board with a tape measure and use a speed square and pencil to draw a line to mark the first rafter location. Measure 23-1/4 inches in and mark another line for the outer edge of the second rafter. Draw similar lines every 24 inches based on that line to locate other rafters.
- 2
  Fasten 2-by-4-inch bracing boards to stakes in the ground behind the back wall. Lay the ends on top of that wall. Set the first pair of rafters in place. Nail each side to the wall caps with three 16d framing nails, driven with a hammer, two on one side of the board, one on the other. Use a level to plumb the rafters and secure them to the bracing boards. Let the rafter tops rest together.
- 3
  Move to the other end of the roof and install another set of rafters, also braced plumb to stakes in the ground. Lift the ridge board to the roof and put it between the two sets of end rafters. Slide it up from the bottom to force the rafter tops apart. Use a level to get the ridge board level and nail the rafter tops to it with two nails on each side.
- 4
  Install other rafters in pairs at the marked locations down the roof. Be sure to place rafters on the marked spaces, set them plumb and keep the ridge board level. Fasten each rafter to the wall cap and the ridge board. Use a circular saw to cut a 2-by-4-inch board for an end stud between the ridge board and the end wall cap. Nail this to the ridge board and wall cap.
- 5
  Add internal bracing to rafters as required by building codes or house design, typically horizontal ties across the rafters or diagonal boards between the rafters and the roof joists. Put "hurricane" ties on each rafter at the wall cap. Use 8d galvanized nails to fasten one end of these metal clips to the wall cap boards and the other end to the side of the rafter where it rests on the cap.

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